WHO LIES HERE: A. Cleveland Bent, Taunton ornithologist

Arthur Cleveland Bent, who went by the name A. Cleveland Bent, was a Taunton native and resident who was known worldwide. He was one of the most outstanding ornithologists in history, being compared to John James Audubon.

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

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Posted Sep. 1, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 1, 2012 at 1:13 AM

Posted Sep. 1, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 1, 2012 at 1:13 AM

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Arthur Cleveland Bent, who went by the name A. Cleveland Bent, was a Taunton native and resident who was known worldwide. He was one of the most outstanding ornithologists in history, being compared to John James Audubon.

Bent was born in Taunton on Nov. 25, 1866 to William Henry and Harriet Fellowes Hendee Bent. On Feb. 21, 1873, when A. Cleveland was 6 years old, Harriet died in childbirth. A few years later, his father was concerned for his frail son and encouraged him to spend time outdoors to promote physical development. Father and son began studying nature. A. Cleveland was educated in Taunton schools and Bristol Academy. He earned an A.B. degree in natural history from Harvard, graduating with honors in 1889.

Early career and family

Bent worked in various businesses including banking, in a cotton mill and in magnetic wire manufacturing. He worked in public utilities and was prominent in this field throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. He held various positions including, owner, trustee, president and treasurer. He also worked at Mason Machine Works in Taunton, rising to the position of general manager.

On Oct. 23, 1895, at Cambridge, Bent married Rosalba Peale Smith. Childless, they divorced in 1911. On Jan. 20, 1914, in Taunton, he married Madeleine Vincent Godfrey (1888-1974). Their children included three daughters: Mrs. Humphrey Barker of Taunton, Mrs. H. Sheldon Smith of Taunton and Mrs. Lloyd Knox of Portland, Maine. They also had a son, Frederick Hendee Bent, who was born on Nov. 14, 1914 and died on April 2, 1915 from a heart defect.

Scientific work

In 1910 Bent was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution to undertake the massive task of finishing the research of Major Charles Bendire, a noted ornithologist who had authored two volumes of Life Histories of North American Birds before his death. This assignment resulted in 21 additional volumes, considered to be the most comprehensive collection of observations of North American birds. The volumes were published between 1919 and 1968 with the last two posthumously. Bent authored other books and articles as well. His wife Madeleine typed and proofread his books. Bent received many honors and awards for his work, receiving the William Brewster Award from the American Ornithologists’ Union, the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal from the National Academy of Science and the John Burroughs Medal.

In addition to his work as an ornithologist, of necessity he became a photographer and a taxidermist. He had more than 10,000 specimens of birds in a museum behind his home. He sent them to Harvard for safekeeping where they are in the Museum of Comparative Zoology. He also had an egg collection of more than 30,000, which he presented to the U.S. National Museum in Washington, D.C.

At Harvard University, he was an Associate in Ornithology, Museum of Comparative Zoology. In Washington, D.C. he was Aster Chair of Biology at the Smithsonian Institution and had the title of Collaborator, U.S. National Museum. He was also associated with the John Burroughs Association in New York. Bent was active in many clubs including the American Ornithologists’ Union of which he served as president 1935-1937, Nuttall Ornithological Club, Wilson Ornithological Club, Harvard Club, University Club, Cosmos Club, Explorers Club and Cooper Ornithological Club. Other associations included the Boston Society of Natural History, Linnaean Society, Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, California Academy of Sciences and National, Massachusetts and Maine Audubon Societies.

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Community service

As with so many of the men buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Arthur Cleveland Bent was active in church and civic affairs. His activities were too numerous to mention them all. At St. Thomas Episcopal Church he was a vestryman, clerk and senior warden. He was an alderman for the city and served as a member of the first Municipal Council in 1910. He served on the School Committee and as a Scout Commissioner for the Anawan Council of Boy Scouts of America. He organized and headed the Bristol County Academy of Sciences. During Work War I he was involved with the committee of public safety, Massachusetts State Guard, and was one of the famous Four Minute Speakers.

Bent was a farm agent for the Food Administration Board and urged Bristol County farmers to produce more food, helping successful farmers gain exemption from military service. He was active in the Taunton Yacht Club, Taunton Rod and Gun Club, and Bristol Branting Club. Bent was also active in the Massachusetts Fish and Game Protective Association, Massachusetts Forestry Association, and American Forestry Association.

During the Great Depression in the 1930s, Bent was chairman of the Rochester Plan which aimed to raise $300,000 to help Taunton residents. Bent served Bristol County Academy of Sciences, Associated Charities of Taunton, Taunton Savings Bank, Taunton Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Social Welfare League, being an officer in many. He was a founder and later president of the Highland Golf Club which became the Segregansett Country Club.

Death and legacy

After a long illness, at age 88, A. Cleveland Bent died on Dec. 30, 1954 at his 140 High St. home. His memorial service was held on Sunday, Jan. 2, 1955 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The ushers were Judge Joseph E. Warner, Lindsey I. Phillips and Commodore A. Loring Swasey. George Harris. Merle T. Barker was an honorary usher.

A. Cleveland Bent has not been forgotten in this community. The Arthur Cleveland Bent Memorial Cabin at Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge on Cohannet Street, not far from where he is buried, was named for him, honoring his life’s work and memory. The exhibit “Work Horses and Lap Dogs: A Menagerie of Animals” at Old Colony Historical Society, which was on display until Aug. 31, included information on him as part of the feature.